P0336: Crankshaft position sensor A signal out of range
The crankshaft sensor signal is arriving, but with jumps that do not add up. Often dirt, a wire picking up interference or the toothed wheel.
| Code | P0336 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P03xx, Ignition and misfires |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0336 means
The crankshaft sensor reads a toothed wheel that turns with the engine and tells the ECU how fast it is spinning and where the pistons are. It is one of the most important signals: without it the engine cannot time fuel or spark. Here the sensor works, but the ECU counts too many or too few teeth, or sees an irregular signal. Which sensor is "A" is up to each manufacturer; many cars only have one.
Most common causes
- Sensor coated in metal filings
- Poor contact at the connector
- Wiring picking up interference (routed near ignition leads or the alternator)
- Sensor not seated properly, too far from the wheel
- Damaged, dirty or loose toothed wheel
- Failed sensor
Symptoms
- Jerking or misfiring under acceleration
- Rough idle
- Difficult starting
- Occasional stalling
Can you drive with P0336?
With care You can drive with care, but the engine could cut out without warning. Get it to a garage soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Watch live rpm at idle: it should be steady. If it jumps by hundreds of rpm without touching the throttle, the signal is arriving with interference.
How to read and clear P0336 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0336 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0332 Knock sensor 2 circuit low input (bank 2)
- P0333 The knock sensor 2 (bank 2) gives a higher signal than normal
- P0334 The knock sensor 2 circuit input (bank 2) fails now and then
- P0335 Crankshaft position sensor A circuit fault
- P0337 Crankshaft position sensor A circuit low input
- P0338 Crankshaft position sensor A circuit high input
- P0339 Crankshaft position sensor A circuit intermittent
- P033A The knock sensor 4 (bank 2) has an electrical fault
- P0300 Random or multiple cylinder misfire
- P0301 Misfire detected in cylinder 1
- P0302 Misfire detected in cylinder 2
- P0303 Misfire detected in cylinder 3
What does code P0336 mean?
The crankshaft sensor reads a toothed wheel that turns with the engine and tells the ECU how fast it is spinning and where the pistons are. It is one of the most important signals: without it the engine cannot time fuel or spark. Here the sensor works, but the ECU counts too many or too few teeth, or sees an irregular signal. Which sensor is "A" is up to each manufacturer; many cars only have one.
Can you drive with P0336?
You can drive with care, but the engine could cut out without warning. Get it to a garage soon.
How do you clear P0336?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0336 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
